A doting smile appeared on Enrico’s lips. “If you let me hold you, the pain will go away.”
Hearing this, Paige obediently leaned into his chest. Enrico wrapped one arm around her while playfully tugging at the red ribbon with the other. He lowered his head and kissed her on the forehead. “Good girl, Paige.”
Paige said nothing, just held onto him, her eyes gazing at the easel by the balcony and the starry night behind it. Soft curtains fluttered gently. Enrico held her close, his chin resting on her head. His face, with its sharp angles, initially showed deep affection. But slowly, his look transformed into one of sly triumph, and his smirk grew more mischievous.
If Paige thought she could outsmart him, she was mistaken. Dividing the bed? Not in this lifetime.
…
After dinner, Paige sat in their newlywed-themed room with a laptop on her lap and a phone in hand, discussing business with Carrie. Enrico, already dressed in red pajamas, sat at the piano, absentmindedly playing the scale over and over again.
“How’s the preparation going? It’d be best if we could leave for Wind Island tomorrow or the day after.”
Paige had been away from the Temple in Heaven all day, so she needed to check in with Carrie. As soon as she spoke, Enrico struck a loud, jarring “Mi” note on the piano, which sharply pierced her ears. She glanced over at him.
Enrico sat casually at the piano, his eyes fixed on her with a hint of annoyance. Paige noted his bright red pajamas and remembered they had just gotten married. They should at least enjoy a couple of days together. She said into the phone, “If preparation isn’t done on time, we can depart the day after tomorrow.”
Sure enough, Enrico’s piano playing became much gentler.
After finishing the call, Paige handled a few more business matters amidst the piano’s persistent background noise. Then she put down her phone and stood up from the sofa. Freshly showered, she wore matching pajamas, and tonight felt more like their actual wedding night.
She walked over to him, sitting beside the piano, and asked, “We’re both going to Wind Island anyway, so is there a need to be so upset about it?”
“You make it sound so nice. Why don’t you just admit we’re going to Wind Island for our honeymoon?” Enrico looked at her.
Hearing this, Paige’s eyes lit up. That’s right, it could be considered a honeymoon!
Seeing her reaction, Enrico’s face darkened. He reached out and pinched her ear. “And I, Enrico, deserve to spend my honeymoon in a slum?”
Paige remained silent and decided to skip the topic. “So, what should we do now? It’s still early.”
They were both used to staying up late.
“…” Of course, the obvious answer was to… do what people do.
Enrico gave her a deep look and seriously said, “Lie down on the bed. I’ll give you a massage.”
Normally, Paige would be wary of such words, but tonight, softened by Enrico’s gifts, she didn’t think much of it. Saying “Okay,” she walked over to the bed, took off her shoes, and lay face down on the covers. Her red pajamas blended seamlessly with the red bedspread.
Enrico sat on the bed beside her, his warm hands pressing firmly on her lower back, gently massaging. “Does that feel better?” he asked as he worked.
“Mhm,” Paige nodded, enjoying his service, lying on the bed as his touch melted away her tension.
His massage was indeed very professional, with his hands pressing at key points, fingers pushing deeper, as if he were massaging into her very core. It felt so good.
So, this was what marriage was like. Sharing meals together, him massaging her when she was tired, and when he was upset, all he needed was a hug.
Perhaps this was the essence of marriage-two people living together in perfect harmony, sharing everything, being each other’s safe harbor.
With her head resting on her folded arms, Paige closed her eyes and asked, “So, after this, should we just go to sleep? You can’t keep massaging me forever; you’ll get tired.”
“It’s my fault that you’re sore, so massaging you all night would only be fair.”
Enrico continued massaging her, maintaining a completely serious demeanor. He even knocked on her back a few times, like a proper masseuse.
Paige smiled, feeling even more relaxed as her body gradually loosened.
Enrico gazed down at her serene face, a smile tugging at his lips as well. Slowly, his hand slipped beneath her pajama top, continuing its tender caress.
Paige was completely unaware.
It was perfect timing. The mood was just right.
He wasn’t technically breaking his promise.
Enrico licked his lips, slowly leaning closer, his fingers tracing down her back toward her waist. His face moved closer to hers, eyes locking onto her soft lips.
“I just thought of something,” Paige suddenly said, opening her eyes and lifting her head.
“Bang!” Their heads collided, sending a sharp pain shooting through her skull. She turned to see Enrico frozen in place. Realizing she’d bumped into his chin, she gasped.
“Are you okay?” Paige exclaimed, immediately sitting up and inspecting his chin.
Playing the injury card too often would make it lose its effect.
Enrico knew this well. He clutched his chin, suppressing the pain, and gazed at her affectionately. “I’m fine, it doesn’t hurt.”
Paige breathed a sigh of relief.
“You said you remembered something. What was it?”
Enrico wrapped an arm around her waist, his gaze lingering on her face, her pale complexion accentuated by the red pajamas, as he leaned in closer.
“You once mentioned that you forgot how the garden was designed, right?” Paige asked excitedly. “I just remembered, Butler Beau said that Jeremy stored all of your mother’s things. That means her belongings are still in the estate. If we look for them, we might find the garden’s design plans.”
That’s what she was thinking?
She had a point, but…
“Now?” Enrico frowned.
“Yes! It’s still early, and I can’t sleep. We could go look for them. If we find the plans, you won’t have to feel so bad,” Paige said.
If you’re not sleepy, there are other things we could be doing… Why go searching in the middle of the night?
Enrico nearly blurted out his thoughts but stopped himself. Paige had already moved to action, slipping into her slippers and pulling him along.
…
“Madam Davis’s belongings?”
In the grand hall, Butler Beau, summoned by them, hesitated upon hearing the request.
Enrico took the coat handed to him by a servant and draped it over Paige’s shoulders. His cold eyes flickered over to Butler Beau. “I remember you once told me that all of my mother’s things were gone.”
Beau looked uncomfortable, clearly caught off guard. Back then, he had only said that under Jeremy’s orders, trying to keep the peace. But after all of Paige’s recent maneuvers, he decided it was best to tell the truth.
“Speak up, Beau,” Paige said softly as she adjusted the coat. Her tone was calm, but for some reason, it always made the butler feel nervous.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to say anything…” Beau hesitated, “but you and the young master might need to prepare yourselves.”